Erectile dysfunction in Trinidadian general practice

ABSTRACT

DISCUSSION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common, and the observed rate was 53 per cent, in men over 40 years of age attending Trinidadian GP. There were statistically significant associations between the patient's age and ethnicity, and the presence of diabetes mellitus and ED. The presence of ED is also associated with the patient's overall diminished satisfaction with life. This has a direct impact on the approach to male patients in the consultation. Many males are hesitant to discuss, and many physicians ignore asking about ED. However as this study suggests doing so can impact on the patient's overall quality of life, especially as we now have safe and effective treatments for ED. It was interesting that we could determine an association between ED and the presence of diabetes mellitus but not between the number of years the patient had diabetes and ED. This suggests that we may be making the diagnosis of diabetes very late when neurological injury is already significant. One result stands out, that is the increased ED among the afro-Trinidadian population. This is not easy to explain since it is the indo-Trinidadian that historically bears the burden of diabetes and early heart disease, the result of vascular disease. One might expect to find an ethnic association favouring the indo-Trinidadian with respect to ED. It is not clear whether this is a true difference or the observation was because of ethnic differences in help-seeking behaviour. Further research, such as a community-based survey would help to clarify any true association between ethnicity and ED ...